HEARING to consider adoption of a Resolution designating a property to the Local Register of Historic Resources.
RESOLUTION - Designating the Property Located at 914 F Street to the Local Register of Historic Resources (Council District 3)
914 F Street
N
914 F Street
Historic Context and Neighborhood
1890s
1905
Asiatic Exclusion League sought
to stop both Japanese and
Chinese immigration
Early Japanese
immigration to Fresno’s
Chinatown
"Gentlemen's
Agreement"
1907
1920s
Japanese immigrations
significantly contribute to
Fresno Chinatown’s economy
1942
Executive Order 90661944
Ex Parte Endo Decision.
Supreme court ruling ends
internment
1945
The end of WWII
1941Pearl Harbor attack
914 F Street Building History
1900
The commercial building
was constructed
The building was divided
into two spaces
1906
1918
914 F Street
functioned as a shop
1942
Sunrise café closed
1928
914 F Street opened
as the Sunrise cafe
1951-1993
Victory Café 2002
Owned by
Steven Ikeda
DESIGNATION CRITERIA.
(a) HISTORIC RESOURCES: Any building, structure, object or site may be designated as an Historic Resource if it is found by the Commission and Council to meet the following criteria:
(1) It has been in existence more than fifty years and it possesses aspects of integrity to convey its significance based upon location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association, and:
(i) It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or
(ii) It is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or (iii) It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values; or (iv) It has yielded or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. (2) It has been in existence less than fifty years, it meets the criteria of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section and is of exceptional importance within the appropriate historical context, local, state or national.
Integrity and Eligibility
Criteria (a) Age and Integrity
Constructed around 1900, over 120 years old.
Sufficient integrity in its location, setting, and association to convey its historic significance Criteria1(i) Association with significant events:
The building is associated with significant historical events, particularly related to the Japanese American community in Fresno. The history of Japanese immigration, their economic contributions to Chinatown development, and the impact of World War II internment on the Japanese community.
Criteria1(iv) Potential to Yield Important Historical Information The building has the potential to yield information important to the history of the Japanese American community in Fresno, especially regarding the impact of World War II and the internment experience on local businesses.
Fresno Municipal Code Findings
The property at 914 F Street meets the criteria (i) and (iv)for historic designation under the Fresno Municipal Code Sec. 12-1607.
Besides, the other half of the building located at 920 F Street has already been designated as a local historic resource in 2012, it further strengthens the case for designating 914 F Street as well as it will reinforce the integrity and significance of the whole building located at 914-920 F Street.
Historic Preservation Recommendation
- Hearing on nomination came before the Historic Preservation Commission on August 26, 2024
- Noticed 2,000 feet
- Commission unanimously voted in favor of recommending nomination to City Council
Conclusion
The Historic Preservation Commission recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution designating the property located at 914 F Street to the Local Register of Historic Resources pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code SEC.12-1607 and 12-1609.